The Cleveland Cavaliers wanted Saturday’s rematch to show that last spring’s playoff sweep was behind them. Instead, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns gave the defending champions another strong answer. Brunson scored 31 points and set up nine baskets, while Towns owned the paint and the glass with 29 points and 13 rebounds as New York beat Cleveland 109-97.

The Cavaliers, who entered at 5-4, came out ready to trade punches. Peyton Watson hit an early three-pointer, then scored on a layup after an Evan Mobley offensive rebound. Cleveland grabbed a 10-8 lead, but Towns stretched the floor with a three and helped New York answer every burst. The game stayed tight until Cleveland guard Meleek Thomas drilled back-to-back three-pointers, and Donovan Mitchell added a four-point play to put the Cavaliers ahead 23-19. Cleveland carried a 27-26 lead into the second quarter.

That was when Brunson began to steer the story. Towns scored inside to keep the Knicks close, and a Knicks guard finished a fast-break dunk after a Cleveland turnover. Brunson then hit a deep three, two free throws, and his familiar step-back jumper as New York finally moved in front. His biggest stretch came late in the half. Brunson scored on a 13-foot shot, buried a long jumper while drawing a foul, and later found teammates for two late three-pointers by Anunoby. The Knicks closed the half on a 20-5 surge and led 63-53.

Cleveland tried to cut into that lead after halftime. Mobley slammed home a dunk, Watson scored on a reverse layup, and the Cavaliers pulled within 63-57. But the Knicks did not rush. Bridges hit a three, Towns finished a layup from a Brunson pass, and New York’s extra effort kept creating second chances. The Knicks collected 16 offensive rebounds, compared with Cleveland’s 10, and finished with a 49-40 advantage on the boards. Those loose balls gave New York more chances to wear down Cleveland’s defense.

Brunson then took over again. He scored eight points during a stretch that pushed the lead from 72-65 to 81-65. A Towns steal led to another Knicks three, and New York entered the fourth quarter ahead 88-70.

Mitchell refused to let Cleveland fade quietly. He poured in 37 points, including a pair of long shots early in the fourth, and later scored five straight points to bring the Cavaliers within 102-92. Yet every rally met a calm Knicks response. Brunson hit a 15-foot pull-up, then fed Bridges for a jumper. Towns grabbed an offensive rebound late, and Anunoby made two free throws to seal it.

New York improved to 5-4 and heads next to Milwaukee with another reminder of its championship poise. Cleveland fell to 5-5 and will look to turn its scoring spark into a fuller four-quarter effort against Charlotte. For one night in Cleveland, Brunson’s control and Towns’ strength wrote the next chapter of this growing Eastern Conference rivalry.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns Power Knicks Past Cleveland Again